Elon Men’s Soccer Phoenix Falls Short in CAA Opener to Hofstra, 2-0

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s soccer team fell victim to a 2-0 shutout at the hands of Hofstra on Saturday night, Oct. 4, in the Phoenix’s Colonial Athletic Conference opener at Rudd Field.

The Phoenix (4-4-2, 0-1 CAA) suffered its first setback at home this season to the Pride (5-3-2, 1-0 CAA) in a match that saw 28 fouls and eight yellow cards issued in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Elon attacked its opposition early with junior James Brace getting a shot 24 seconds into the match, but it was blocked by the Hofstra defense. The Pride however would get on the board first as Maid Memic broke through with a shot from 15 yards out that hit the back left corner of the net and gave Hofstra a 1-0 lead.

The Phoenix’s Jonathan Coleby fired a strike in the 19th minute, but that would be the Phoenix’s lone shot on goal in the opening period. Both teams were knotted at five shots apiece in the first session with Hofstra holding a 3-2 edge in corners.

Elon’s chances for a comeback took a hit in the 54th minute as Hofstra’s Danny Elliot put the Pride up 2-0 with his first score of the year. Elliot took a touch pass from Joseph Holland on the left side of the box and pushed his shot past Phoenix keeper Nathan Dean to give the maroon and gold a 2-0 deficit.

Despite the deficit, Elon continued to battle and throw numbers up forward in an attempt to earn its first score. Brace had another shot in the 66th minute, but Hofstra’s keeper Patric Pray was there for the save.

Two minutes later, the Phoenix would position itself for its first potential score of the match as Cauê Da Silva drew a foul in the box on a Pride defender and set up a penalty kick opportunity for Brace. Pray however made another great stop and managed to get his hands on the rebound to keep the shutout intact.

The lead and the play of Pray would prove to be insurmountable as the Phoenix suffered its third shutout and multi-goal loss of the season. Elon held a 13-8 shot advantage, but trailed slightly in corners, 5-4. Brace led the team in shots with five, including four on goal.

Pray made seven saves in the posts for Hofstra in his third shutout of the season. Dean played all 90 minutes and had one save.

Elon hits the road to William & Mary on Wednesday, Oct. 8, for its next conference match. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.